The Los Angeles Chargers are in for one of their most intriguing offseasons yet. Slated to have 15 unrestricted free agents, they must decide who’s going to remain with the team when they move into their new stadium in 2020.
With that, we decided to do a ranking of what the Chargers’ top offseason priorities could look like, starting from the least enticing to the most polarizing options.
No. 15 — TE Lance Kendricks
Kendricks was brought in to serve as Virgil Green’s backup when Hunter Henry went down with a knee injury earlier this season. With Henry and Green back to their normal duties, it’s unlikely they bring back the veteran for another year.
No. 14 — C/G Ryan Groy
Groy, who was signed earlier this season to add depth to the offensive line, hasn’t been needed as Scott Quessenberry has served as the starting center. While the team will need offensive line help this offseason, they can likely look elsewhere to shore up the group.
No. 13 — LB Nick Dzubnar
Even though he hasn’t played much on the defensive side of the ball, Dzubnar has been kept by the Chargers because they covet his abilities on special teams. Rather than wasting a linebacker spot, they could look to find another option in next year’s draft to replace him.
No. 12 — WR Geremy Davis
Wide receiver depth will be an essential this offseason. But I can’t see Davis being in the team’s plans. Even though he has been a valuable blocker and special teamer, he hasn’t been productive in the passing game and an injury hampered him earlier this season.
No. 11 — WR Travis Benjamin
The team has valued Benjamin’s speed for quite sometime, which is why he’s stuck around. But dropped passes and struggling to stay healthy has likely killed his chances with staying with the team after this season.
No. 10 — LB Jatavis Brown
Brown was lights out in his rookie campaign, but he’s been hot and cold since then. The Chargers see Drue Tranquill, Kyzir White and Uchenna Nwosu as the future and will likely look to the draft to find another player to add the linebacker room.
No. 9 — DB Jaylen Watkins
With Derwin James and Adrian Phillips back in the mix, it’s been challenging for Watkins to get back on the field. Despite not playing as much, Watkins has been a valuable asset on the defensive side of the ball and it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the team offers him a one-year deal.
No. 8 — DT Sylvester Williams
Since joining the team nearly halfway through the season, Williams has been a key piece to shoring up the run defense. Williams, 31, has plenty of juice in him and like Watkins, they could look to bring him back on a short-term deal.
No. 7 — DT Damion Square
Square has arguably been the team’s best defensive tackle this season. After being brought back at the last minute this offseason, Square may have earned himself a two-year deal from his strong play.
No. 6 — FB Derek Watt
Watt may have gone unnoticed the past couple seasons because the fullback position isn’t the most enticing out of the bunch. But Watt has made his living on special teams, leading the team in tackles and continues to do his main job by serving as a key blocker out of the backfield.
No. 5 — G Michael Schofield
The offensive line has been the biggest question mark for the Chargers this season. Injuries and inconsistent play has hampered the offense, but Schofield has been the most consistent one up front. There’s certainly reason to believe the team will consider bringing him back.
No. 4 — RB Melvin Gordon
Gordon came into the season wanting $13 million or $14 million annually. Now, the Chargers have witnessed RB Austin Ekeler really come into his own, along with the flashes from Justin Jackson. It’s hard to believe the team will offer him more than their original offer of $10 million. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a backfield of Ekeler, Jackson and a rookie next season.
No. 3 — S Adrian Phillips
Phillips enjoyed a breakout season in 2018 that resulted in a trip to the Pro Bowl and named All-Pro. The 27-year old is a do-it-all defender that has been a major contributor on third-down situations and his presence combined with cornerback and safety Derwin James is why the defense is among the league’s best.
No. 2 — TE Hunter Henry
Even though staying healthy has been an issue throughout Henry’s professional career, he is easily one of the league’s best tight ends and the production is there to back it up. I expect Henry to be the Chargers’ long-term tight end, exactly how Antonio Gates was.
No. 1 — QB Philip Rivers
Whether you want him back or not, there’s no doubt that the franchise wants Rivers back for one more crack at the Super Bowl with him under center. Even though his play in his contract year hasn’t been promising, the blame will likely be on the injuries and the poor play from offensive line. It’s all going to come down to a negotiation that works for both sides this offseason.
